Horn

This procedure covers diagnosis and replacement of the horn assembly on a 2012-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK with the 3.6L V6 engine, including testing the horn relay, fuse, and wiring.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Horn assembly × 1 — Mopar 68002490AA or equivalent
• Horn relay × 1 — Located in PDC, verify part number from fuse box diagram
• Electrical contact cleaner × 1 — Use as needed

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Turn ignition to OFF position and remove key
3. Open hood and support with prop rod
4. Disconnect negative battery terminal to prevent accidental horn activation during service
5. Allow 2 minutes for airbag system capacitors to discharge before proceeding

Procedure

1. 1

   Verify horn circuit operation
   Before replacing components, check fuse F87 (10A Horn) in the Power Distribution Center (PDC) under the hood. Use a multimeter to test fuse continuity. If fuse is blown, inspect wiring for shorts before replacing. Locate horn relay K11 in the PDC and listen/feel for relay click when assistant presses horn button. If no click, relay may be faulty.
2. 2

   Disconnect battery negative terminal
   Using a 10mm socket, loosen the negative battery terminal bolt completely. Remove the cable from the battery post and secure it away from the terminal to prevent accidental contact during repair.
   Torque spec

   Battery Terminal Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Access horn assembly
   From underneath the front of the vehicle near the driver side headlight, locate the horn mounted to the radiator support bracket behind the grille. The horn is a disc-shaped component approximately 4 inches in diameter with a single electrical connector and mounting bracket.
4. 4

   Disconnect horn electrical connector
   Press the connector release tab and pull the electrical connector straight off the horn terminal. Inspect the connector and terminal for corrosion, damage, or loose pins. Clean with electrical contact cleaner if corrosion is present.
5. 5

   Test horn operation (if horn may be functional)
   Reconnect battery negative terminal temporarily. Using a test light or multimeter, verify 12V power is present at the horn connector when an assistant presses the horn button. If voltage is present but horn doesn't sound, the horn itself is faulty. If no voltage, check relay, wiring, and clock spring. Disconnect battery again before proceeding.
   ⚠Keep hands clear of horn when testing - it may activate suddenly and startle you
   Torque spec

   Battery Terminal Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove horn mounting hardware
   Using a 10mm socket, remove the single bolt securing the horn bracket to the radiator support. The horn assembly will come free with the bracket attached. Note the orientation of any spacers or washers for reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts23 Nm (17 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove horn from bracket (if reusing bracket)
   If the bracket is in good condition and only the horn needs replacement, remove the horn from its mounting bracket by loosening the bracket hardware. Clean the bracket mounting surfaces with a wire brush to ensure good electrical ground contact.
8. 8

   Install new horn assembly
   Position the new horn onto the bracket (if separated) ensuring the terminal faces the correct direction for wire routing. Install the horn and bracket assembly to the radiator support using the mounting bolt. Torque to specification ensuring the ground contact surface is clean and making good metal-to-metal contact.
   ℹ️Clean mounting surfaces are critical for proper horn ground - the horn grounds through its mounting bracket
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts23 Nm (17 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reconnect electrical connector
   Push the electrical connector firmly onto the horn terminal until it clicks into place. Gently tug on the connector to verify it is fully seated and locked.
10. 10

    Reconnect battery
    Clean the battery terminal and cable end if corrosion is present. Reconnect the negative battery cable to the negative battery post and tighten the terminal bolt to specification using a torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Battery Terminal Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all electrical connections are secure and properly seated
2. Verify horn mounting bolt is torqued to specification and horn is firmly mounted
3. Double-check that no tools or parts were left in the engine compartment

Verification

• Turn ignition to RUN position (engine off initially)
• Press the horn button on steering wheel - horn should sound clearly and continuously
• Test horn at various pressures on the horn pad to ensure consistent operation
• Start engine and verify horn still operates correctly with engine running
• Reset clock and radio presets as needed after battery reconnection

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